thunderstorms to the south. eventually that rainfall is going to try to come back on us. here is what you need to know. it's in the 60s for san that. we are tracking with norad, last time i checked he was in aus tri. a meanwhile more record warmth for christmas. we've got some ups and downs with some chill coming back into the seven-day act caw weather forecast. even a wintry mix down the road. that's all in the seven-day accuweather forecast but for now 70 degrees on the warmest christmas eve ever. back to you. >> i won't forget this one. >> warmest ever. that's a big deal. >> eyewitness news reporter rob nelson enjoying himself in bryan park. >> reporter: i've had far worse assignments. lee said a minute ago i look kind of sweaty

cart and all the smoke is blowing this way. take a look. this is bryan park. look at that. everybody out here enjoying the weather. they are loving this. bottom line, christmas eve 2015 is definitely one to remember. on this spring-like christmas eve, here's the one image that sums it up best. this gay at rockefeller center -- this guy at rockefeller center ice skating in his shorts. >> everyone should have a hot holiday. >> reporter: folks lining up for ice cream in midtown. >> it's amazing weather. >> reporter: it has been a delightfully unusual christmas eve throughout new york city, residents and tourists alike soaking in these high temperatures, some in t-shirts and shorts after two years of brutal snowy winters. we found very few complaints. >> this doesn't dampen your holiday spirit?

>> i was able to wear a nice dress, not be cold. i'm all fort. >> reporter: even the costumed characters needed a breather. >> i thought it was going to be snowy and really cold but i'm like sweating. >> reporter: from the dog walkers to the skaters to groups of people eating outside, mother nature showed us all some merry mercy. for some, dreams of a white christmas shattered by the subpoena. >> it's nice, but it's not like christmas. it's more like easter. >> reporter: definitely a lot more like easter. folks are out and about, even more than usual. we are just a few hours away from christmas day, but honestly it could be a summer's night. folks are loving it. listen to them. hey. what else you need to know? live in bryan park, rob nelson, channel 7 eyewitness news. say merry christmas! back to you guys.

from the beach at this point. the weather just what last- minute travelers needed. a live look at newark airport. so far no issues like the massive delays we saw yesterday at the three major airports. it's a similar story on the roads. this is what the george washington bridge looks like right now although there's a backup getting into manhattan. not good. coming out of manhattan seems to be working much better. as for the subway, a signal problem causing problems. expect some delays. don't forget you can get updates on the weather and traffic any time on our website at abc7ny. if you are stuck in that traffic because you are a procrastinator there are only a couple of hours left. >> how are the crowds? is the warm weather bringing them in?

city with all the last-second shoppers. >> reporter: let me tell you these shoppers have a laser focus. we're going to go right to the package. >> my son has been asking for these for awhile. we decided to do some last- minute shopping. >> reporter: a christmas score for their teenage son. >> could he have lived without these shoes? >> yeah, he probably could have. >> reporter: honestly we could probably live without most of the stuff gifted over the holidays, but that's no fun. >> we normally do the black friday thing and kind of do the surgical strike on that, but we don't get out that much to the mall. >> reporter: but today you just came out? >> yeah. >> reporter: for some, the christmas eve frenzy of good deals, gained with a generous spirit is irresistible. it was for these shoppers in jersey city thursday.

the deals are fantastic. >> usually you get the best deals. i'm a daily guy. >> reporter: but not everyone can handle all of this last- minute chaos. >> if he doesn't stop crying, we'll have to get him to santa. >> he's tired from all the malls. >> reporter: people trying to last-minute gifts. with one hour left you can still see people filing into the mall. >> thank you darla. coming up, 7 on your side's nina pineda has the seven rules of returning. thousands of worshipers have joined pope francis for a late-night mass. the pope noted the simplicity of jesus' birth as he rebuked what he called society's intoxication with consumerism,

the pope also sounded a cry to right injustices. we're hearing from giants coach tom coughlin since the league's decision to uphold odell beckham jr.'s suspension. anthony. >> i think the whole experience is going to have an incredible impression on him, andy's going to learn that that -- there's no place for that kind of activity on the field, as i've said many times before. it's a tough lesson, but he will learn it. >> we apologize for that audio problem with anthony johnson's report but that was anthony reporting. now to trading on wall street. it ended early for the christmas holiday. here's a look now at the closing numbers.

closed at 17,552. the s & p was also lower. the nasdaq, though, closed higher. still ahead, tornado outbreak. deadly twisters ripped across seven states. we'll survey the damage and share the stories of survival. one of new york's oldest churches is falling apart and in desperate need of repairs. how the church's connection to the poem "the night before christmas" is helping parishioners keep the faith. christmas arrived a day early on long island. a surprise shopping spree for a group of kids. ok, we're here. here's dad. mom. the twins. aunt alice... you didn't tell me aunt alice was coming. of course. don't forget grandpa. can the test drive be over now? maybe just head back to the dealership? don't you want to meet my family? yep, totally. it's practically yours, but we still need your signature. the volkswagen sign then drive event. zero due at signing, zero down, zero deposit, and zero first months payment on a new jetta

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we worked out the audio problem with anthony johnson's story. he is going to tell us about hearing from the giants' head coach tom coughlin for the first time since hearing from the nfl upholding beckham's suspension. >> reporter: from a football standpoint, the playoff chances barely hanging off. they will hit the field in minnesota with their most explosive weapon sitting at home. he apologized to his teammates

dropped the ball when it came to sportsmanship. beckham and the giants will pay the price on sunday when he watches the game from home. his coach is hoping this humbling experience can turn into a positive down the road. >> i think the whole experience is going to have an incredible impression on him. he is going to learn that that -- there's? place for that kind of activity on the field, as i've said many times before. it's a tough lesson, but he will learn it. >> reporter: coming up at 9:00 p.m. we'll hear from eli manning would talks about what the giants' offense will have to do to offset the loss of odell beckham jr. >> anthony, thank you. a woman has pleaded guilty

manager cashman. she says they had a consensual agreement. she was sentenced to five years probation. tsa officers at newark liberty airport made a frightening discovery. an ice pick hidden inside a cane. an attentive worker noticed it. another major city is expanding its use of body cameras. the chicago pd says it will start using the cameras this spring. the department faced harsh criticism after video showed a cop shoot a teenager 16 times. now to the severe weather. at least 11 people confirmed dead after tornadoes tore through seven states.

mississippi so extensive the governors have declared a state of emergency. >> reporter: the tornadoes so powerful debris was tossed for miles. >> rumbling thunder, then with the lightning strike you would see it. >> reporter: from tennessee to mississippi -- >> we heard this great big -- like a train, and then it was calm. >> reporter: at least two doesn't reported tornadoes leaving many homeless. >> it's devastating. it contained of crushes you here at christmas. >> is it's very heartbreaking. i don't even have the words to explain it. >> reporter: the damages are so widespread, a state of emergency has been declared in tennessee and mississippi.

everyone, now beginning the process of recovery and rebuilding. >> this is a well organized effort, and we will recover. >> and mother nature is still on the move. the same storm system that reeked havoc in the south yesterday is now triggering dangerous flash flooding in parts of georgia and alabama. i'm elizabeth herr for channel 7 eyewitness news. back home, meteorologist lee goldberg has our forecast. >> we're fortunate with the battle going on in the south. because of the warm weather you've got this severe weather. it's one thing to get the warmth this time of year. but to continue with the balmy night like this, so very

so here is a look at the upper west side toward the george washington bridge. beautiful evening, super mild. we're still at 70 degrees. the humidity makes a difference. it feels almost sultry outside, 71%. the humidity will be down tomorrow, so the mid-60s will feel cooler. the all-time high is 75 degrees for christmas. we had an 11-inch snow back in 1912. last year it was 58 degrees and we got drenched. the weekend, 52 on saturday, a lot of clouds. just an occasional shower, then a temperature roller coaster. right back in the upper 60s, by sunday. there's a shower probably inthe afternoon, there might be one in the evening hours as well.

bridgeport, 60 in islip, and 70 on the jersey shore. what a nice day to be on the beach. some great pictures. mostly cloudy, 7:00. 60s for santa around midnight. a few breaks in the clouds, most likely by the middle of the day, and the clouds will tend to thicken up in the middle of the day. you see a couple of showers trying to get into hunterdon county. a cold front is coming through. look at the thunderstorms. we had a couple last night but not severe. those showers are going to get offshore and then put on the brakes. rain returns tomorrow night into the day saturday but nothing too heavy. a couple of showers south and east this evening, clearing north and west tomorrow morning. part of the area is mostly cloudy. part of the area, some breaks off to the north and west. some brightening during midday. the exception the east end of

it's a merry, mild christmas at 66 degrees which would beat the record from 1982. showers tomorrow night, but notice the heavy rain is to our south. we will just have an off and on shower or drizzle. 52 will almost feel raw compared to what we have now. a stray evening shower, patchy fog later. tomorrow 66, record warmth. sun will give way to clouds in the afternoon. maybe some evening rain over central new jersey. the sun sets at 4:34. here is what we're working on for 5:30. we're tracking santa, number one. the question mark is the patriots-jets game. it is going to be close to whether the rain gets in by the end of the game. how about a pattern change to start 2016? i was thinking the cold may hold off until the third week of january. it may come a little earlier. we'll talk more on that but it's hard to think it's going to get chilly when it's 70

>> we won't forget this one, lee. chipotle announces dhaings way it prepares its food. plus, a shopping trip takes a terrifying turn when a mother is abducted at gunpoint. her amazing gesture once she was free. and the nypd beefing up car stops. the surprise for the drivers. but first a message from a member of the military from our area what can't be home for the holidays.

and it's the holidays, which means a house full of people, who all want to get online.

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a bear is back home in a california forest after getting an unwanted ride to a local garbage dump. the crew got a shock when he popped out. they returned him to his home.

in the way it prepares food after the e. coli outbreak. >> reporter: the burrito giant is saying it will start adjusting the way it contacts and prepares ingredients including submerging onions into boiling water before they're chopped, chopping tomatoes in centralized locations rather than in stores so they can be tested. testing samples of meat before shipping it to store, and marinating raw chicken in plastic bags rather than open bowls. chipotle telling abc news with all these program components in place, we will be able to reduce the risk of contamination within our system to a level near zero. >> i do think that some consumers are questioning, why was this not in place beforehand? >> reporter: these changes coming as the company struggles to regain customer trust after two outbreaks of e. coli sick zenned people in several states. >> the problem for them is

customer really feels like they know what happened, they've made the necessary changes. i think this could remain a risk for this company. >> reporter: the boston chipotle where nearly 140 people got sick with norovirus earlier this month finally cheered by inspection services and expected to reopen soon. channel 7, eyewitness news. new information about a school cafeteria worker fired for giving a student a free lunch. the district in idaho says it has offered the woman her job back. she was fired for theft giving a 12-year-old girl who didn't have money a free meal. she says she has yet to get a phone call from school officials, and she's not sure if she will return. she now fears she won't know what to do the next time a kid is hungry. several new jersey churches are putting a star wars spin on their services. the nondenominational churches are looking at what they call

and the movie franchise. the movie is breaking box office records. >> star wars is an epic story of the dark side versus the light. as christmas, that's our story. the light of god overcoming the fear and hatred in a dark world. >> this is a little different. the ceremony anyway features dancing storm trappers and family photos with a life star wars themed nativity scene. know that sink feeling when a police car's lights turn on behind you? today that was turned into a wonderful surprise. >> it's the holidays. due mind if i give your daughter a present? >> no, i don't. >> such a relief. a toy drive brought in so many gifts that officers had hundreds of extras to give to the community, and that

one mom who was happy to receive some holiday cheer instead of that ticket. >> i'm very surprised he pulled me over. >> this is another way of saying, listen, here's one way the police are helping, trying to build that community into action. >> love. that in addition to stopping drivers, the precinct was open for families tin neighbor to grab some toys and other fun surprises. officers also popped on to buss to pass out toys. some even happened out gifts to families walking down the street. >> a lot of holiday cheer. a jewelry store is offering an unusual free gift with your holiday purchase. a shotgun. the store in deland, florida says its fire and ice promotion has been so popular they've run out of shotguns.

background check before they can leave with the gun. the store has run the promotion for the past three years. it has been around almost 200 years. a church in chelsea is in need of millions of dollars of repairs, and its connection to the famous poem "the night before christmas." hollywood disaster averted. celebrities the target of a hark. the undercover operation that spanned from the bahamas to new york. after the holidays comes

we'll break down seven tips for piano music. i'm glad you finally made it, dad. you have to experience this city. that's what you always say. you were right about the food. hi john. hey kevin. spent the day with an astronaut. one more. it's beautiful, isn't it? how about a baseball game next time? done! done. book priceless experiences around the globe with...

our top story, a church in chelsea is hoping the spirit of christmas will inspire people to open their hearts and

>> it is in need of millions of dollars of repairs. st. peter's chelsea is one of the oldest gothic revival churches in new york. the church is famous for its ties to one of the most well- known christmas poems in the world. jim. >> reporter: few of us probably recognize the name clement clark moore, but we all know that familiar and very famous poem on christmas eve. it is the poet and the poem all these years later that inspires st. peter's in its dream to rebuild. >> when you stand back here, it's not so beautiful. it's hard to really see any blemishes or where the need for repair. >> reporter: can you show us? >> come with me. >> reporter: that beauty fades upon closer look at this 179- year-old church that's been deteriorating after decades of neglect. water damage so severe that steel cables and rods hold the church tower together. >> this is 60 to 80 years of

>> reporter: and what's the price tag? >> 15 million. mpts most small neighborhood churches would never be able to raise that much money, but st. peter's has a history steeped in wonder and miracles. >> the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that st. nicholas soon would be there. >> reporter: the best known christmas poem in the world was written by one of the church's founders, clement clark moore. >> for me the spirit of generosity that's in this poem permeates this parish. >> reporter: recently a wealthy colorado businessman what got married in the church 30 years ago donated $1.5 million. that allowed work to begin on replacing the church's original tin roof. the spirit of the night before christmas reaffirmed. >> my ma in her kerchief and i in my cap. >> right now more than ever we

to save this building. >> reporter: every church is built on faith but st. parties has a famous poem, too, with an eternal spirit of joy and possibility that's helping a struggling church to believe again and to rebuild. the church is hoping that by august of next year, the summer of 2016, that its roof will be completed and that they will be able to begin work if they have enough funds, able to begin work inside on the elaborate ceiling. the church service here tonight, christmas eve, will begin at 10:00. i'm told it is beautiful. the reverend harding says that anyone who wants to donate can contact the website, st. peter's chelsea.

nativity in innwad on monday. the statues of jesus, joseph, and mary were not damaged. officers say he won't be charged. a dispute is brewing tonight over plans to halt replenishment work on long beach island until new jersey's environmental protection commissioner rob martin is criticizing the army corps of engineers for allowing its contractor to move equipment to other parts of the country until april. martin says that will expose homes and businesses on long beach island to severe winter storms. the army corps says the deadline should be met. an action in the george

surrounding the production of documents. convict child mo lester jerry sandusky will receive more than $200,000 from pennsylvania to cover pension payments that were illegally stopped when he was sentenced. the former coach will also get nearly $5,000 in monthly benefits from the state. that is after a court ruled the pension system incorrectly class fade sandusky as a university employee at the time of his sexual abuse crimes, forfeiting his benefits. it's one of the most popular stories on abc7ny. a knicks player says he brought some ladies home from a club. when he woke up, hundreds of thousands of dollars in value annals had vanished, and so had the women. the alleged theft happened in the early hours of saturday morning. williams and the women left a club in the meatpacking district. we are learning new details

massive celebrity hacking case targeting stars like 50 cent. the suspect is accused of stealing everything from the scripts of tv shows and movies to private sex tapes. ken rosato has the details. >> reporter: this calf been a holiday disaster for a host of red carpet regulars and entertainment industry folks. a new hacking case that could have exposed piles of private information, scripts, and even a sex tape. >> it was apparent to us from our initial contact with mr. knowles that he had a great deal of sensitive information. >> reporter: alonso knowles is charged with stealing private information from 130 people including three nba players, one nfl player, and rapper 50 cent. >> it was our goal to conclude this as quickly as possible. >> reporter: an undercover

trying to sell information for thousands of dollars. >> we all start out small. the question is, what are we going to make of ourselves. >> reporter: even social security numbers and, yes, sex tapes. federal authoritiesed quickly after last year's sony hack released information almost daily embarrassing hollywood a- listers. >> the government was able to shut this down before devastating damage was done. it could have been a very, very, very serious hack. >> reporter: ken rosato, channel 7 eyewitness news. >> meanwhile if you stayed at a hyatt hotel recently you may want to double-check your statement. the resort chain may have become a victim of hacking. the company found malicious software on its computer system three weeks ago. it's not clear if any customer data was stolen. hyatt has stepped up computer

to investigate. new york drivers are getting a break on traffic violations. we'll explain, and days from christmas a mother is kidnapped. what she did to get the suspect to change his mind, but even wilder is what she did after he let her go. plus, her story touched the world. a little girl severely scared had people everywhere sending is her christmas cards. how she is now giving back. and i'm meteorologist lee goldberg. the empire state building says it's christmas eve but on the west side everybody is dressed for spring. it's still in the upper 60s, and the official temperature in new york city around 70. a couple of sprinkles south and east of new york city. we're tracking santa with the help of "thor" rad and the

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with select plans. call now. new at 5:00, starting next spring municipalities in new

to collect fines or fees for traffic cases when the violations are dismissed. the amendment to law was approved by the legislature and signed by governor cuomo this week. it takes effect in march. tens of thousands of new yorkers will be getting a break on a very important essential. the cost of water. nearly 52,000 homeowners who are poor, elderly, or disabled are getting a $115 credit on their next water bill. the city has expanded the home water assistance program so more than four times as many homeowners are qualifying this year than last. you don't to have do anything to sign up. it is based on other programs you may already be part of. the university of connecticut has found a generous way to deal with the abandoned. they are donating them. the school this month gave 60

uconn collects dozens of bikes every year. a mother of five who was abducted at gun point was able to convince her captor to let her go. a man put a gun to her head. the two of them drove around for more than half an hour, talking about their children. she says getting the man to talk about his own daughter convinced him to free her. >> he got out of the car, and i said wait a second, because he wanted to be fast, and i gave him a hug. i said, thank you. i said, my boys thank you. yes, i forgive him. i just hope that i made an impact on him. >> the woman says she told him to learn from this experience and not to do it to anyone else. a heart warming holiday

christmas wish came true after tragedy. a brave little girl said in a facebook post after her father was killed in a fire that she wished for christmas cards. she is getting hundreds of thousands of dollars to help pay for her recovery. >> lots to love. santa did not leave a lotto player's dream gift under anyone's tree. the jackpot is up to an estimated $255 million. if you like your money all at once, that's the way everybody else does, right? the lump sum amount is a shade under that. wouldn't that be amazing. >> you've got to play, though. you have to play. >> you're right. digital toys may be popular

for toddlers. that's coming up. let's take another live look outside because none of us can believe how warm this christmas. meteorologist lee goldberg returns with the exclusive accuweather forecast to tell us what change is in the works. >> reporter: coming up on

why these little kids have big gorgeous, isn't he? (vo) a new york man spent $3.2 million on a dead bat. i have such enormous respect for these creatures. which is why i stuff them and hang them on the walls. (vo) you'd make a way better rich person.

digital toys are popular along with toys that talk, light up, and sing, but those toys might be slowing language development in toddlers. researchers studied 26 pairs of parents and their children and found that children were less vocal while playing with noisy electronic toys. backs, on the other hand, produced the most verbal exchanges. >> but they're all probably computer programmers now, so it's a trade-off. a popular christmas toy is helping a police department connect with its community on social media. i would like to introduce to

the newest officer sworn in. he snaps a photo each day of the police work. he says it's a way to reach followers that wouldn't normally follow a police department. >> i have actually gotten a lot of good comments on our social media when we need the community's help in a situation. >> sarj got stuck on a file cabinet. he will surely have a spot on the force whenever wants to get back to work. >> i need in that my feed. >> that's not a good match-up. oh, there he is on the star wars set. by the way, danks mason is now lobbying to go seat for the fifth time. >> when was the second, third, and fourth time?

but it's crazy. >> that is very, very cal. >> there you go. >> disney thanks you. >> exactly. >> and we thank you for this weather. >> look, i though that people like winter, and for a lot of reasons, but for the disabled, for elderly, for people who have trouble with cold weather and getting around this is a gift. >> that's a great call. a lot of people think payback in a few weeks. we have an el nio pattern here. this is not unexpected. this is what the early season forecast was supposed ton. certainly we have some extremes but typical el nio, we start out warm, then we progressively get colder. that's when our snow chances come up. already what we're starting to see is active changes in the pattern, ups and down, more frequent storms. now we have a couple of soakers. the pattern overall will start to change but at least for this

that might just be just a brief shower over the next couple of hours. the bulk of the city will be dry. freehold, new jersey, you might see a passing shower. there's a skinny line of showers. christmas planner, mostly cloudy, more clouds along the coast. clouds thin out. mid sit, record high. 66 would be your high forecast. 64 is the record from 1982. a couple of showers or a light period of rain gets in here tomorrow evening off and on. there's that brief shower moving toward maple wood, new jersey. it extends back to raritan. maybe a brief sprinkle over parts of bayonne. showers mainly to the south. a couple more could sneak through ocean, monmouth county. still mild tomorrow morning. mid-50s. it will be dryer tomorrow. the humidity will be down. so the sick will feel a little

you might need a jacket tomorrow but not tonight. on saturday we painted as much cooler and damp, but it definitely feels a lot cooler. right back up on sunday. upper 60s,. the brightest part of the day will be the middle of the day. late in the jets-patriots game some rain may come back. then a noticeable change on monday 42 degrees, despite sunshine and a cool wind. rain is going to come in on tuesday. as it comes in early in our northern suburbs, it may be a little sleet mixed in, we have to be careful of icy spots early on tuesday. 52 on wednesday. we'll stay around 50 which is still above normal. now new long-range information. the first week of the new year looks seasonably cool. >> here's the take-away. i will have put up my holiday

down my holiday lights without suffering one bit from cold, snow, wet, or anything. >> so no excuses. >> no, it's going to be done, but i'm always complaining. ladder. the real story. she's the happy one. >> exactly. christmas came early for dozens and dozens of kids on long island. >> it's all thanks to some nassau county police officers who took them on a shopping spree that eyewitness news reporter cefaan kim is there for all the fun and excitement. >> reporter: it's christmas eve, but for more than 100 nassau county families, santa has arrived a day early. >> this is what it's all about. making little children fill their bags up with toys. >> what is that? >> a teddy bear. >> reporter: the real st. nick,

for children to go on a shopping spree. $100 of gifts for each child, but the real gift for the parents, seeing these huge smiles. >> i've add rough year and a half. having two kids is definitely the a struggle. it's been a rough year. this is amazing. a christmas miracle. >> reporter: as if children's toys weren't enough, cops rolled out the grown-up toys from swat tammy trucks to police forces to canines all outside the toy store for little kids to see. >> it's important to know that the police are there not only when you need help, stinls bad situations, but they're also there for good situations. we're there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. >> reporter: collaterals is living in a shelter with his two sons. he says this helps build bridges. >> it breaks down barriers between citizens and the police. >> i think it's nice that they're giving back to the community, the kids, because it's rough for people sometimes.

police foundation paid for all this. not only did the store shut down for the kids, if they went over their $100, maddie's covered the difference. >> oh, they're so excited. so awesome. so that gift you got just wasn't what you had in mind, rate? >> sometimes it happens. >> next, the seven rules of returning, so you're a happy customer. >> new at 6:00, the story of a thankful patient. a fast thinking doctor saves

no way. savor an egg mcmuffin any time you like. a fresh cracked egg, canadian bacon and an english muffin with real butter. mcdonald's all day breakfast menu. the gifts are under the tree unopened. you still don't know what santa has brought you, so what happens when you don't like your present? the good news, you can always return it. 7 on your side's nina pineda has seven rules for happy returns. >> reporter: rule number one organize your receipts.

time if you provide either paper paragraph of purchase or an e-mail receipt. >> there's nothing worse than waiting in a long line of madness after the holidays and trying to find a receipt. >> reporter: rule two will spare awe hassle. bring an id. many stores require a valid driver's license for returns. and always review the store return policy first. it's printed on the back of your receipt. pay attention to any dates. you don't want to feel rushed ordeal with the chaos after christmas, but if you wait that long you might miss the dead lain to get your full money back. >> reporter: number four, do not get stuck paying a restocking fee. >> reporter: make sure you keep the original packaging. don't open any boxes you don't plan to keep. otherwise you are going to be paying 15% of the purchase price. >> also, if you are shipping something back, make sure you, number five, negotiate free shipping. >> i found that if you call

a one time courtesy. >> reporter: if an on-line retailer has a store nearby you can usually take it back. number sir, check credit card protection. if you are missing receipts, many cards offer extended return protection or pay to ship items for you. lastly if you miss a return window, in the all is lost. you can always exchange gifts through ebay or craigslist. ebay is offering pop-up kiosks where you can bring holiday items that you don't want and you can't return, or maybe it's even items that you have at your home. >> reporter: and your bonus tips, sell or swap those unwanted gift cards. nina pineda, channel 7 eyewitness news. still ahead a career saving surgery for a young singer.

right now. thousands of people attend christmas eve masses both at st. peter's basilica in the vatican city and in our area. a record warm day. some people in short sleeves and shorts. and we're not done with this warm weather yet. good evening. merry christmas. i'm david novarro. bill and liz are o. we're going to begin with what is feeling like a very tropical christmas eve in new york. highs in the low 70s. right now it is still very comfortable outside. people are shopping for the last-minute gifts as malls get ready to close at this hour.

of the weather to go battle